Orbit 57161 Sprinkler System 6-Station Standard Indoor Timer

I bought this Orbit 57161 6-Station Timer to replace a 4-station Toro timer and I'm very happy with it.I like that there is one program that operates on day-of-the-week settings and another program for #-day intervals. The whole reason I upgraded to this timer was so I could run my lawn sprinklers on every Monday and Thursday with two start times on those days, while running the garden drip system every day, with three start times per day. This timer meets those requirements perfectly.I was a little mislead by the product description which states, "Up to 8 start times per program." - It's only 4 start times per program, 8 combined.This controller doesn't have an output for a master valve. If you need that, get a different controller.This was easy to install and program, and came with clear instructions.

This unit works well and appears (based on a few weeks operation) seems to be rugged and reliable. The only down-side of this particular model is that the screen is very, very small and requires both clear access and bright illumination to see what's going on while the unit is being programmed. A good buy, in any case, because this discontinued item has full features at a low price.

Orbit wears the egg on this one. The manual published by Orbit is a common one for models 27954, 27958, Orbit 57114 4-Station Standard Indoor Mounted Sprinkler System Control Timer, Orbit 57161 Sprinkler System 6-Station Standard Indoor Timer, 57162, 91046, 94122, 94124 & 94126. The manual, (which I read entirely online before ordering, having run into this issue before) includes the BOLD title section "Installing Valves, Pump Start Relays & Master Valves" and a graphic (Figure 18) that clearly shows the controller to have a maser valve/pump terminal. The manual is silent that some of the models were cheaply made and do not include a master valve/pump terminal. You have to wait to get your unit in the mail and inspect it yourself, then return it. Way lame for both the retailer and you! Side note: models 57194 and 57196 also do not include master valve/pump terminals. As for the other models I'm still not certain, check with Orbit direcly. (See the manual for their number, Amazon will not allow review to contain any external telephone numbers.) One star product rating given due to the belief that this is either careless marketing or intentional sales deception by Orbit. If you are crazy enough to not have a master valve in your system this model could work for you.

Tested out, felt the interface was simple to use; I prefer the timer functions on this model. However, did not work for me because it does not include ability to activate a pump.

This is a very basic lawn sprinkler timer that does that. Programming is easy with an instruction sheet in hand but remembering the sequence is a challenge for my aging memory. OK, that's all I paid for and based on that it should be worth at least four stars. However the electrical wiring landings (terminals) are a whole other story. These very small terminals are located at the bottom of the case just behind a slid off cover. All the electrical connections on that strip are 24 volt so most (if not all) wiring codes allow exposed insulated conductors at this level, but I'm an old electrician and best looking job I could do came out looking second rate. Wiring like this should be in a supporting enclosure, the wire size and weight are too heavy to be hanging on those undersized terminals. This controller must be mounted high enough to be out of reach of small children --- hanging it that high on the garage wall just makes a bad looking job look worse, but no matter where its hung the wiring is in harms way. In my opinion this thing is not worth the price I paid. Orbit cut too many corners for me to recommend this one.

If you already have an Orbit 57161 6 station timer, this one will be a direct swap.The picture that Amazon has is not the correct picture. Check out the Orbit 57114on Amazon and this is the exact style of timer you will receive except it is a 6 stationand not a 4 station. Amazon needs to correct the picture. My original Orbit has lasted over 10years. I hope this one will do the same.

Wouldn't go past station 3 the first three times I tried, but after that it has worked like a charm. It has integral watering (every 2 days/every 3 days, and so forth--which more expensive brands don't). I am very happy with it, and it cost way less than most other timers/controllers.

My 10 year old sprinkler controller went kaput one fine summer day and I requested for free estimates. The stimates ranged from $125 for repairing the unit to installing a new state of the art system for $900! I went to the internet, did some homework and found this one for $30 odd bucks!!! It's not a fancy system but servers my needs and was not that difficult to install myself. It's been a couple of months now, and I have had no problems with the unit. Great value for the price!!!